ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
The first step to managing symptoms is to get a diagnosis. Find a licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologists, family physicians) who is experienced in ADHD evaluations.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your past. They may ask to see old reports and talk to teachers, family members or friends to learn about your childhood behaviors.
Symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. The symptoms can also interfere with learning and relationships at work, school and home. Talk to your GP when you or your child is showing these signs. They are not able to diagnose ADHD in a formal manner, but they can discuss your concerns and refer you to specialists if required.
A GP will be able to determine if you have ADHD symptoms by asking questions, examining medical documents and your health history, and performing a physical exam. It is also possible to provide the history of ADHD in your family members to aid in the diagnosis. The GP will then recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a psychiatric assessment. The evaluation may include the description of your symptoms along with questionnaires and scales that are completed by you, your caregivers and teachers along with a psychiatric assessment, physical examination and laboratory tests.
Psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD in adolescents and children with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors that last for six months or longer, and evaluate whether these symptoms affect your life, at home at work, or at school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD, but their symptoms are likely to manifest differently as they age. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If you meet the criteria for diagnosis and your symptoms are specific to adults You may be prescribed medication. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulants to alter neurotransmitters. These medications boost energy and alertness, as well as improving concentration and focus. They can be prescribed as extended-release versions to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat the inattention manifestation of ADHD in adults. These medications, like Wellbutrin and Effexor, affect neurotransmitters, and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in controlling the symptoms that may be affecting your daily life, both personally and professionally. A psychiatric evaluation can be conducted by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist, neurologist, family physician or another type of medical specialist). A person who has an underlying symptom-based diagnosis like ADHD must adhere to certain guidelines laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, to receive treatment for ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child's behavior in school, at home and in social environments. Your child's medical history as well as family history and development will be reviewed. Then, they will evaluate your child's behavior with those of children who are of similar age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, such as inability to pay attention, forgetting about things and interrupting other people.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must occur in a variety of settings, affect your child's functioning and cause disruption, and have been present for at least six months.
If your child is not able to meet all of the criteria for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them an unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may include neuropsychological and psychological testing, and cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination and assess your child's heart rate to determine if there are medical conditions like thyroid disorders and head injuries that could mimic ADHD symptoms. They may also ask for a detailed history of the problem from caregivers and teachers, and conduct a thorough discussion with your child as well as family members. They will also consider whether there is a family history of ADHD, as the condition is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed as having ADHD, they may need treatment or medication for their behavior. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. To start treatment, you must first locate a professional who has expertise in ADHD diagnosis and is covered by insurance. You can start by calling your insurer or asking your local mental health support group, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of specialists in your area who specialize in ADHD. Some doctors employ computer-based tests, like continuous performances tests, to test for issues with impulse control and attention. Other doctors use brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the patient interview is the most important component of an assessment.
During an interview, the clinician will review the symptoms that prompted the appointment. The doctor may also ask for information from someone who is familiar with the patient very well for example, the spouse, sibling or parent. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend considerable time with the patient. This is a thorough procedure that could take up to an hour. The clinician will complete a report, and discuss the findings with the patient.
It is vital to keep in mind that the definition of ADHD is determined by the extent to which the symptoms affect the person's daily life. This means that the symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two important settings like at work and at home. The impairment must be present for at least six months in order to be considered an acceptable diagnosis of ADHD.
During the interview, the clinician will review the patient's medical and psychiatric history and determine if the patient meets the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). A valid diagnosis of ADHD must be supported by at least three of these five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to the smallest of specifics and making mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing distracted.
Prevention
People who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed. They're not as disruptive, or impulsive as those with hyperactive ADHD and can be overlooked. Their issues can have serious consequences. They may not do well at school, have conflicts with their classmates or struggle to hold a job. These people also need to be treated.
The term ADD is still used frequently however the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new definition includes the fact that children can be suffering from symptoms of inattention on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all cases, there are a few distinct ways in which the disorder manifests itself between girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This increases the likelihood that they will not be diagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
A thorough examination by a healthcare professional is required to establish an accurate diagnosis. This includes a clinical interview, medical history review and physical examination. It involves examining reports from teachers, parents or other adults who have an understanding of the person, as well as normative rating scales that are completed by family members and teachers. These can be useful in determining whether the symptoms are serious enough to cause impairment in functioning.
A careful evaluation is also important to determine if the symptoms are caused by another medical or mental illness like depression or anxiety. In some instances treating these other disorders will aid in reducing or eliminating the ADHD symptoms.
Those who are diagnosed with the disorder must be aware of what to expect in terms of their treatment and possible medication side effects. They should also stay in touch with their doctor or nurse to make sure that the medication is working exactly as they should.
https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment used treatment for inattentive ADHD is stimulant medications, which can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviors. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and parent training can be extremely effective for children and adults who suffer from this condition, too. People who are prescribed ADHD medication should be advised to schedule regular check-ups with their health professionals since some patients may require adjustments in dosage or other treatment options.